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Sanita Puspure makes it to final of Olympic Qualification Regatta

Irish rower needs to finish in top four on Tuesday to claim Rio place

Ireland’s Sanita Puspure has made it through to the final of the women’s single sculls at the Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne. Photograph: Urs Flueeler/ EPA
Ireland’s Sanita Puspure has made it through to the final of the women’s single sculls at the Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne. Photograph: Urs Flueeler/ EPA
Liam Gorman
Mon May 23 2016 - 16:14

Ireland's chances of taking a third rowing crew to the Olympic Games rocketed in Switzerland on Monday afternoon as Sanita Puspure moved confidently into the final of the Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne.

The Ireland single sculler placed second in her semi-final and booked her place in the top six. The top four in today’s final will go to Rio.

The semi-final was won by Emma Twigg of New Zealand, whom Puspure tracked down the course. Latvia's Elza Gulbe took third spot. The other semi-final was won by London silver medallist Fie-Udby Erichsen of Denmark, with double Olympic gold medallist Ekaterina Karsten second and Ukraine's Nataliya Dovgodko third.

Twigg was world champion in 2014, but did not compete in 2015. She will be the favourite in Tuesday’s final.

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“It all went to plan,” said Ireland coach Don McLachlan. “In semi-finals you just have to go out and do it. Tomorrow, hopefully, we’ll step up another gear.”

Liam Gorman

Liam Gorman

Liam Gorman is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in rowing